Where We Operate

Become a client

Management Team

Melville Douglas is led by a strong management team. The team has extensive and diverse experience in the asset management industry and consists of seasoned portfolio managers as well as investment administration professionals

Graham Baillie

Executive Chairman

Graham joined Melville Douglas in 2002 as Executive Chairman and portfolio manager. Prior to this, Graham was Director of Investment Research at Barnard Jacobs Mellet, where he steered the company to global recognition as the leading research house in South Africa. Graham has over 20 years experience in investment research, banking, and stockbroking. He holds a B.Com and an MBA.

Michael Laws

Managing Director

Michael began his investment career at Melville Douglas in 1998. Michael is a portfolio manager and the co-Fund Manager of the Melville Douglas High Alpha Fund, our flagship local equity fund. He holds a B.Com degree, is a CFA® Charterholder, and is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional.

Jerome O’Regan

Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer

Since joining Melville Douglas in 2004, Jerome has been instrumental in establishing the company’s investment philosophy and process. He is the lead manager on our key long-term capital growth funds – the Melville Douglas Dynamic Strategy Fund (ZAR), and the Melville Douglas Balanced Fund (USD). He holds an MBA and is a CFA® Charterholder.

Bernard Drotschie

Executive Director and Deputy Chief Investment Officer

Bernard joined Melville Douglas in 2002 as a portfolio manager and analyst prior to which he worked for ABSA Asset Manager. He is also the lead manager on the Melville Douglas Global Growth Fund (USD) and co-manages the Melville Douglas Balanced Fund (USD) and the Melville Douglas SA Bond Fund. He holds a B.Com (Hons) degree in Econometrics, is a CFA Charterholder®, and is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional.

Nigel McKenzie

Chief Operating Officer

Nigel joined Melville Douglas in 2013 as Business Manager. Prior to this he was Head of Research and a portfolio manager at STANLIB before joining the stock broking industry. Nigel has over 20 years’ experience in the investments, stock broking, insurance and banking and he is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Melville Douglas. He holds a B. Com (Hon) cum laude and M. Com in Economics.

Oliver Sonnbichler

Head of Funds

Oliver is the Head of the Fund Management Group, which offers Melville Douglas investment solutions to a broad range of distribution channels though our domestic and international fund ranges and institutional mandates. Oliver joined Melville Douglas in 2011 as the Managing Director of Melville Douglas International. He has a B Com (GDA) from the University of Cape Town and an H.Dip. Tax from the University of Witwatersrand.

Mervin Naidoo

Head: Equity Research

Mervin joined Melville Douglas in 2013. He is a portfolio manager and assumes overall responsibility for Melville Douglas’s equity research process, as well as being an analyst for global financial services companies. Prior to joining Melville Douglas, he held senior equity research roles at Credit Suisse, J.P. Morgan, and Andisa Securities. Mervin is a qualified CA (SA) and holds a B.Com (Hons) degree.

Rob Stewart

Head: Portfolio Management

Rob joined Melville Douglas in 2005 as a portfolio manager and analyst covering Commodities and the Mining and Resources companies. Rob holds a B.Sc (Hons) degree, a post-graduate diploma in Management, is a CFA® Charterholder, and is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional. Rob is responsible for portfolio management in South Africa.

Susan Gawith

Portfolio Manager

Before joining Melville Douglas in 2006, Susan was a rated sell-side analyst covering consumer stocks, and is Melville Douglas’s lead analyst on the retail, hotel and leisure sectors. Susan is also the co-manager of our key long-term capital growth fund – the Melville Douglas Dynamic Strategy Fund (ZAR). Susan holds a B.Sc degree and an MBA.

Paolo Senatore

Global Strategist

Paolo joined Melville Douglas in 2018 as Global Strategist. Prior to this he was with Firstrand Group since 1995 gaining over 20 years financial market experience. During 2000, he became Chief Investment Officer of RMB Private Bank Portfolio Management. He was Chief Investment Officer for Ashburton Investments, FirstRand’s asset management initiative, since its inception and was instrumental in consolidating the groups various asset management businesses and investment processes. He holds a MSc (Mech Eng).

You have reviewed the latest product information on our website (fact sheet) and know the risk and fees associated with your investment choice. You have read and understood the terms and conditions available on our website or upon request.

To invest directly, investors need to download the application form, complete and submit this form and all the associated documents to STANLIB:

You have reviewed the latest product information on our website (fact sheet) and know the risk and fees associated with your investment choice. You have read and understood the terms and conditions available on our website or upon request.

To invest directly, investors need to download the application form, complete and submit this form and all the associated documents to STANLIB: